18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRP

Since the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) came into force in 2008, there has been a yearly conference at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York for countries that ratified the convention to discuss how they are putting the CRPD into practice and other related matters.

The annual convention offers the opportunity for state parties and signatories to improve how people with disability and supporting organisations can engage on social and global matters.

This year’s theme is “Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the Second World Social Summit”.

The sub themes supporting the principal focus are:

• Sub theme 1: Empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing social development policies through innovative financing.
• Sub theme 2: Leaving no one behind: using AI as a tool for supporting inclusivity to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities.
• Sub theme 3: Recognising and addressing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion.

Bodily Integrity, Lived Experience & Human Rights: Autistic People Confronting Gender-Based Violence

Autistic people—of all genders—face shockingly high rates of sexual and gender-based violence. Yet their trauma is too often ignored or misunderstood.
This event places survivor stories at the centre—treating lived experience as evidence and calling for urgent action from international bodies.

• 90% of autistic women report experiencing sexual assault
• Over half were under 15 at the time of their first assault
• Autistic people are at significantly higher risk across all genders

This event will explore:

• Bodily integrity as a human right
• Gender-based violence in the context of disability
• The intersection of autism, gender, and global human rights
• Research-backed insights and lived experience
• Commitments to accountability from UN bodies

This vital event was sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Malta and co-sponsored by UN CRPD, UN CEDAW, Autism Asperger Advocacy Australia, Women Enabled International, and CRPD Malta.

Special thanks to Autistic advocates leading this work, including Monique Blakemore and Dr. Alistair de Gaetano (Chair, Malta Autism Advisory Council), whose leadership has helped shape this important moment.

Please share and amplify this conversation to make bodily autonomy and safety a right—not a privilege—for every Autistic person.

You can view all COSP18 Side Events by visiting  Side Events – UNDESA Division for Inclusive Social Development.